Joe Sakic and Patrick Roy both are touting MacKinnon, and there doesn't seem like much of a reason not to believe them. Roy knows MacKinnon well and already envisions him centering the team's third line.

2

Seth Jones, D,
Portland (WHL)

Panthers have taken defenseman with top pick two of past three years, but a giant-size pairing of Jones and Erik Gudbranson just too good to pass on.

3

Aleksander Barkov, C, Tappara (FIN)

Big, strong, well-developed and regarded for having arguably the best hockey IQ in the draft, Barkov could step right into middle of Lightning's second line next season.

4

Jonathan Drouin, LW, Halifax (QMJHL)

He showcased his sublime offensive skill on a national stage at the Memorial Cup. Predators are stacked with young defense prospects; a high-end offensive talent is just what they need.

5

Darnell Nurse, D,
Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)

The Hurricanes' weakest point last season was its defense, so a big, smart, athletic blueliner with an outstanding pedigree potentially could step right into the lineup next season.

6

Sean Monahan, C,
Ottawa (OHL)

The Flames can anchor their rebuilding effort around this smart, skilled two-way center who had 31 goals despite being best option on bad team.

7

Valeri Nichushkin, RW, Chelyabinsk (RUS)

Oilers president Kevin Lowe said you never can have enough talent, and the Russian power forward is too talented to pass on here.

8

Hunter Shinkaruk, C/LW, Medicine Hat (WHL)

The versatile forward is a pure scorer capable of bringing fans out their seats with his dynamic puck skills.

9

Elias Lindholm, C,
Brynas (SWE)

This smart two-way center is capable of playing in the Devils' top six, possibly as soon as next season.

10

Bo Horvat, C,
London (OHL)

A big scorer also highly regarded for his two-way game. He might be the best faceoff man in this year's draft class.

11

Rasmus Ristolainen, D,
TPS (FIN)

Flyers are missing what Ristolainen supplies -- big, strong, offensively skilled and nasty to play against. He's already 6-4 and 207 pounds with room to grow.

12

Anthony Mantha, RW, Val-d'Or (QMJHL)

The Coyotes need offense and Mantha was only player in this year's draft class from the top North American junior leagues to score 50 goals.